This past Sunday, September 20, our 7th grade confirmands marked an important milestone as they officially began their confirmation journey at St. John’s with the Rite of Beginning.
At St. John’s, confirmation is a two-year journey through 7th and 8th grade. While Confirmation Day gives us the opportunity to celebrate the completion of that journey, the Rite of Beginning gives families a special opportunity to pause and recognize where it all starts.
Parents, baptismal sponsors, grandparents, and other family members gathered around each confirmand in prayer, asking God to guide and strengthen them as they grow in their understanding of His Word and what it means to live out the faith given to them in Baptism.
Each confirmand also received a Lutheran Study Bible, which they will use throughout confirmation and, we pray, for many years beyond.
Following the time of prayer, families gathered for small-group and individual family discussions using Luther’s Small Catechism. Together, they reflected on the importance of Baptism, what God has given us through it, and what a life of faith looks like both today and in the years ahead.
Around 100 people gathered for this year’s Rite of Beginning, including family members who traveled from Nebraska, Wisconsin, Iowa, the Dakotas, and many other places near and far to support their confirmands as they began this journey.
We are thankful for the many parents, sponsors, family members, and members of our church family who surround these young people with prayer and encouragement. Please continue to keep our confirmands in your prayers as they study God’s Word, grow in their understanding of the faith, and prepare for Confirmation Day.
Surrounded in Prayer
Our 7th grade confirmands began their confirmation journey with the Rite of Beginning, surrounded by parents, baptismal sponsors, family, and friends. Through prayer, time in the Small Catechism, and the presentation of their Lutheran Study Bibles, families marked this important beginning together.